I am one of the newest Ambassadors for Island Batik Fabrics.

Yes. You read the title of this post right. I am an ambassador for Island Batik fabrics. In a few days I should be getting a box full of beautiful fabrics from them. I am so excited for this adventure. One of the best things for my readers is I will be doing some fun giveaways with the fabrics. You will also get to see some new designs from myself as well as other ambassadors.

So, how did this happen?  I am glad you asked.  Back in December, someone who was an ambassador posted a link that they were accepting applications for new ambassadors.  I thought, "I have nothing to lose, why not try?" So I did.  I was so excited the day I got the email.  I really am looking forward to this journey.  As I have read through the plans for the year, I realize this is going to be a challenge at times, but a good one as it will help me grow.  A lot of the quilts that are done with the batiks seem to be more modern.  I learned to quilt 40 ish years ago, and I am more of the traditional quilter and usually go for more of the florals and calicos.  But, hey, it is good to grow and take on new challenges right?

One of the challenges this month is actually to make some Kennel quilts.  These quilts finish at 12" x 18" and fit in portable kennel cages. These are for animals that are rescued by shelters.  I am working on designs right now for some fun ones and would like to make as many as I can.  If you want to help, please let me know, and I can pass along the information.

This is a little about the Kennel Quilts program: In 2016, Island Batik joined forces with an existing group of industry partners and supporters of the Petfinder Foundation to create the Piece for Shelter Pets (PFSP) initiative. The initiative supports the Petfinder Foundation, a “public charity that works to end the euthanasia of adoptable pets by assisting animal shelters and rescue groups across North America”, through financial contributions made possible by the sale of fabric, thread, and other quilting related products. PFSP sponsors include The Quilt Pattern Magazine, Island Batik, Aurifil Threads, QuiltyBox, Benartex, and Hancock’s of Paducah.

You can donate to your own shelter, or there is this one that is in need:
Bark and Roll Rescue Companions
3105 Shadows Lake Dr.
Baton Rouge, LA  70816

If you don't sew or quilt and want to donate, please contact me at kbruck2001@yahoo.com

Thanks for sharing in this new challenge with me, and please stay tuned to this blog, because I will be doing some fun giveaways.

 

2017 Q1 finish along proposed finishes

So,  in a recent post on my instagram  @kathyskwiltsandmore I mentioned that I had chosen 2, really 3 words for the year. The 2 words were organize and finish. To accomplish these 2 words, I then need to add a 3rd word and that would be planning.

You can read that post by going to my instagram @kathyskwiltsandmore.

With that brief introduction, we now get back to the 2 words of organize and finish. In trying to organize my sewing room, I started gathering my works in progress (WIPs). There are a lot. So, I am now moving to the word finish. To help me do that, I am joining the 2017 finish along.   I am choosing some of the quilts I would like to get finished. The only problem, I will lose my PhD,  because I won't have projects that are half done.  The best part is my quilts and other projects can be loved by the people who get them.

These are the projects I am aiming to work on this quarter.  There are a lot, but some of them just need  the binding and they will be done. So, here we go.

1.  The Tardis quilt. I just need to put panes on the windows and bind.

2. The Metro medallion quilt.  I have a lot of blocks made for this one, I have ideas of how I want to quilt it, so I just need to get it done.

3.  Chevron quilt for a friend. Will be done this quarter. I have to add a few more rows, then quilt. Quilting idea is in my mind and a file in my computer.

4.  This one is cut out and almost together.  Making it for a grandson.

5.  This one is have the fabric for. Making it for at least 2 grandsons, maybe 3. The 3rd grandson is due in March. Would be fun for all 3 boys to have matching quilts.

6.  Needs one more square and this one is ready to put together and quilt.

7.  My peacock quilt and quilted shams. This is going to go on my bed.

8.  Just needs a bit more quilting and then binding.

9.  Just needs binding.

10.  This one is ready to quilt and bind. I have quilting ideas in my mind.

11. The Eagle quilt.  Need to finish piecing, then quilt and bind.

12. Ready for binding

13.  Another ready for binding.

14.  Finish borders, quilt and bind. This is the humming bird quilt.

15. Just need to finish quilting and bind. For a grandson.

16. Just need to bind.

17. Need to quilt the borders and bind.

18.  Need to finish quilting and then bind.

18 projects, in about 12 weeks. Some will go faster than others. I will blog about each one as I get them done.

2017 quilting/blogging goals

I have a hard time setting and meeting goals, however I know that if I plan then things really do go better for me. I think the reason I have a hard time planning, is because I just want to do everything.

One of my biggest goals I am working on for 2017 is to get good enough at my quilting that I can quilt for others as well as designers.

I have taken a notebook and started planning some of my goals for next year.

I want to make a metro medallion quilt by @sewkindofwonderfuljenny. I love using their quick curve ruler.

Practice quilting designs daily. One thing I will do is have a notebook handy and practice drawing quilting designs. I have a big stack of quilts to practice on.

 Another thing I will do is some whole cloth quilts. I will draw out areas on the quilt and do different designs.

Also make a notebook of quilting samples. This let's me show people what I can do and gives them a closer look at my work.

Pattern testing for designers. I did some of this in 2016 and want to do it again. I found it was hard to keep up with several at one time, along with full time work. This year I will schedule my time better. And if I know we are getting swamped at work, I know not to try to do too many.

I also want to publish 2 patterns I have been working on.

BLOGGING GOALS
In 2016 I participated in a new bloggers hop. I had so much fun and learned a lot. I want to apply again, and really improve my blogging skills.

I will also be sharing more tips and techniques on my blog throughout 2017. And would like to do more tutorials.

I am linking up with Yvonne @quiltingjetgirl.com and her 2017 planning linky party.

4th quarter 2016 proposed finishes

Well, I didn't do so hot with finishes for the 3rd quarter. I got 1 quilt done. So, the list moves on, and I added more quilts to be done. These are in no particular order.

1. Metro Medallion by sew kind of wonderful.  This quilt is being done for a wedding at the end of the year. I am doing their wedding colors and favorite colors.

2. I call this one the Eagle quilt. Pattern being used is Frayed Edges from patterns by Jen. This is planned for a Christmas gift. 

3. Churn dash. This one is for a wedding and will be done in the wedding colors. I have just a couple of blocks cut for this one. But I will be getting more done soon.


4.  This is one of two Christmas  quilts I am working on. This one is ready for quilting. Yay!!

5. This is another Christmas quilt.

6.  This one is on the frame right now.  It is a dragon quilt, made from my own pattern. I am quilting it with stars.

7. This is a wall hanging for one of my daughters. Just needs the binding to be finished.  I may do some quilting on the dress. Binding in yellow.

cinderella wall hanging

8.  This one is ready for binding.

9.  I have those one almost ready for quilting. I just can't remember where I put it. I need to find it because it is for a grandson.

10.  Another one ready for quilting.

This is part one of my list. I have more to do, and more on my proposed list over on my instagram account @kathyskwiltsandmore.   I need to train my body for some long nights ahead of me. A lot of what I accomplish depends on work. If we have a lot of overtime, I won't get a lot done.

Linking up with Rhonda at www.rhondasramblings.com
Monday Making @www.lovelaughquilt.blogspot.com
Let's Be Social @www.sewfreshquilts.blogspot.com

One Lovely blog award

A couple of weeks ago, I was nominated by my friend Jen over at adreamandastitch.blogspot.com.  Jen and I met as we were doing the 2016 new bloggers blog hop. Thanks Jen for nominating my blog.

So we are supposed to share 7 things about ourselves. So, here it goes:

1. Quilting really is my passion. I enjoy all aspects of quilting. I really like testing patterns for quilt designers, and these are just a few I am doing.

This is on I am doing for Tammy at tamarinis.com

This is the fabric selection for another quilt I am testing for tamarinis.com

This one is for Jen at #patternsbyjen.

This is my fabric selection for a pattern test for desertbloomquilting.com

2. I am a professional seamstress. We make all sorts of things for events, tradeshows, etc.

3. My family brings great joy to me.

4. I am an early riser, even on weekends. I love taking a walk in the quiet, peaceful mornings.

This is a view from one of my recent morning walks. 

5. I just recently published my first quilt pattern on craftsy. If you would like to view or purchase it you can do so here.

6. When it comes to sewing and quilting, and people ask me to do something, I tend to not know the word "No". This is a dress that I will be making for one of my granddaughters to wear to an upcoming wedding.

7. I really enjoy blogging about the quilts I make.

As you may notice, I like to stay busy. I don't watch a lot of t.v. and my quilting is really very relaxing to me.


I also need to nominate some other bloggers.
These are just some of the bloggers I like to follow:
www.thistlethicketstudio.com
alicesamuelsquiltco.wordpress.com
thismomquilts.wordpress.co
yellowcatquilts.blogspot.com
myquiltdiet.blogspot.com
tamarinis.com

Giveaway winners!

So as you know I was doing a contest where if you left a comment on my blog post about my pattern release, I would enter you in to win a copy of it. I am giving 2 away. The way I chose the winners was by a random.org generator. Here is what it came up with:

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:5Powered by RANDOM.ORG   Comment number 5! Winner is Cheryl! Congratulations!  True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:3Powered by RANDOM.ORG  Comment number 3! Winner is Cat Lady! Congratulations!  Thank you all for participating. Please remember that if you did not win and you would like to purchase the pattern you may still do so. Just click here to purchase.  The winners will be receiving an email from kathyskwiltsandgifts@gmail.com with the pattern in PDF from. The comments are greatly appreciated. Thanksfor making this contest fun!  

Bricks and Blocks pattern release And GIVEAWAY

In 2013, I had a couple of ladies contact me about making some quilts. I told them I would, and they described what they wanted. I couldn't find a pattern, so I decided to come up with my own. This is what I came up with:

All done and my little grandson loves it. 

Twin size. Super heroes. Made by my daughter Jennifer for her little guys first birthday.  She chose to tie this one. Love it.

Well, I got the quilts done, and I had made notes, just in case I ever wanted to do them again.
Fast forward to earlier this year, when I was reading a newsletter from a fellow Quilter and learned about a pattern writing series hosted by Cheryl over at http://meadowmistdesigns.blogspot.com/p/pattern-writing-blog-series.html?m=1.  I started reading it, and decided why not finish writing the pattern I had started before. So, I wrote, sent copies to my daughters and revised. Then I had 1 of my daughters do some computer drawings. Yes, they both proof read  again, could understand everything and then it was time to test. I asked both if they would make 1 up. They were more than willing to.

Crib quilt from the pattern. Will be backed with green fleece. Made by my daughter, Krystal. I will quilt this on my machine quilting frame.

 We did a quilt along on the blog, and made sure all revisions were made.  Everything went well.

Queen sized quilt that my daughter is hand quilting. This was done during the quilt along  just before the pattern was released.

Up close look at some quilting, as well, as the fabric.

Then I got this crazy idea why not publish it as a pdf. So, I had one daughter working on figuring out how to do craftsy and get our pattern on there. I enlisted the help of my daughters as I work full time.

So then we had to get a quilt done for the cover. 1 is sitting in my quilting room waiting to be quilted. 1 daughter was tying hers for her little guys first birthday and the other daughter is hand quilting hers. So, I asked my daughter who was tying hers if we could use it for the cover. She was more than willing.

our cover quilt.

GIVEAWAY TIME:  how would two of my readers like to win a pdf of the pattern? All you have to do is leave a comment, then we will use a random number generator to choose 2 winners.   The contest will go until August 10th.  If you want to purchase the pattern, you can do that here.   The sizes include: crib, twin, and queen. Please share with your friends.